Awning



G. w. sMn'H June 18, A1957 AWNING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 4. 1956 W Tm/7% INVENTOR.

June 18, 1957 G. w. SMITH 2,796,072

AWNING Filed June 4. 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5e ary@ l/V. Jm/z 4 v INVENTOR.

June 1s, 1957 G. w. SMITH 2,796,072

' AWNING Filed June 4, 1 956 s sheets-sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY ilaired dentes AWNENG GeorgeW. Smith,Hcuston, Application .lune 4, 1956, Serial No. 539,060

6 Claims. (Cl. 135-4-5) This invention relates to awnings and more particularly to awnings whose covers Iare spread and' collapsed along wires strung between spaced supports.

Drive-in eating establishments frequently provide covered stalls for their customers automobiles. The covered stall both protects fthe customers automobile from the rays of the sun during the day and from rain during the day or night. An awning provided by an awning cover suspended from spaced wires stretched between supports is one popular way of providing a covered stall. As the awning is needed only during rainy or hotV sun shiny weather, and the cover `is susceptible to damage, par- .ticularly by high winds, hail, etc., is is customary` to construct the awning so that the `awning cover lmay 'be expanded between supports when needed and collapsed adjacent one of the support when adverse weather conditions, such as high winds, hail, or the like, occur. In-

the past, a number `of ropes have been secured to the free end or ends ofthe awning cover and one or more persons have collapsed or extended the cover by pulling on these ropes. Manual control of the awning has proved unsatist factory, particularly, where the area under theawning is occupied by automobiles and high velocity wind conditions suddenly develop. Manual control of this type of awning requires a porter or other masculine help to be on hand at all times to collapse the awning cover in the event of sudden need.

It is an object of this invention to provide :an awning of the type referred to above with a cover which may be quickly and easily spread or collapsed by mechanical means without the use of pull ropes.

Another object is to provide an awningof the type referred to above with a cover which may bespread or collapsed using motor power controlled from a remote location.

Another object is to provide an awning ofthe. type referred to above in which the awning cover may be spread or collapsed by energizing a motor which is automatically cnt off upon the cover reaching fully spread or collapsed position.

Another object is to provide an awning as in the preceding objects in which a single mechanism spreads and collapses the awning cover in both directions froma central support toward and away from two end supports.

Another object is to provide `a bridle for an awning of the type referred tto above which is-supported on the awning cover support wires and which will not cock and bind while the awning cover is being opened -or closed` due to winds, or the like.

Another object is to provide a Ibridle for an awning of the type referred to above which runs smoothly and easily on a simple system -of supportingand pulling wires.

Other objects, features and `advantages of this invention will lbe apparent from the drawings, the specification and the claims.

In the drawings wherein there is shown illustrative embodiments` of this invention and wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts:

2,796,072 Patented June 18, 1957 Fig. 1 is a side elevational view `of an yawning consttructed in accordance with this invention with the awning cover shown in phantom;

Fig; 2`is a View taken along the lines 2-2 of Fig. l in the direction of the arrows showing the center support and drive means for spreading and collapsing the awning cover;

Fig. 3 is a perspective schematic view of the bridles, endless wire, drive and control means for spreading and collapsing the awning cover;

Fig.' 4 is a view in side elevation of a bridle used in spreading and collapsing the awning cover;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View along the lin-es 5--5 of Fig. 4 in the direction of `the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view `along the lines 6 6 of Fig. 5in the direction of the arrows with parts broken away for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of an endless cable and the rollers and securing means of a bridle, all for use on a two-support awning; and

Fig. 8- is a view in side elevation of a two-support awning with the awning cover shown in phantom constructed in accordance with this invention.

The awning shown in Fig. 1 has a cover which spreads in opposite directions from the center support 10. Supports `for' the awning cover are provided `by center post 10 and the two ends posts 11 and 12; These posts are sunk inthe ground. They are preferably embedded'in .the ground in `a manner to maintain them in. upright posit tion such as by embedding them ina large block of conmaintained taut.

An expansible and collapsible awning cover is suspended from the several cables 15 through 18. Where the three-pole form of stall is used, the awning cover is preferably in two sections 2@ and 21 as shown in phantom. Each awning cover section 20 and 21' has one end secured to post 10 and is secured at itsV other end the'bridles indicated generally at 22 and 23 respectively.

The awning cover may be lsuspended from the several wires 15 through 13 in the conventional manner by a 1 plurality of eyes carried by the awning cover and slidable on the several wires 15 through 1S. These eyes are lindicated in phantom at 24 on Fig. 1 at one section of awning 21. These eyes are normally secured to the upper surface of the awning cover at spaced intervals along the length of the awning cover with one eye for each cable at each interval. Eyes 24 are spaced lat rather close intervals so that when the awning cover is collapsed, it will fold in accordion folds as shown in phantom adjacent the center pole 1@ and will be adequately supported when the awning cover is fully extended.

The bridles 22 and 23 and hence the free ends' of the awning cover are reciprocated toward and away from the end posts 1l; and 12 by an endless Wire 25 Vstrung over pulleys 26 and 27. Pulleys 26 and 27 are mounted on end posts 11 and 12 respectively forv rotation about horizontal axes. The bridles 22 and 23 are supported upon and secured to the endless cable in a manner to be explained hereinafter. The cable 25 is continuous between the two end posts and travels through passageways 2S and 39 in central post 1G.

The endless cable is driven by being wrapped around a drive drum 31 which is rotated byA reversing motor 32 througha suitable angle gear 33. i

Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be noted that each of the bridles is in generally gable form to conform to the gables of the supports l0, l1 and 12. A stabilizing arm 34 is carried by the bridle and extends in the direction of the endless wire 25. Arm 34 underlies the awning cover when the awning is collapsed so as not to interfere with the full extension of the awning cover to the end posts 11 and 12.

In order to pull and support the bridles 22 and 23, the bridles and stabilizing arms are provided with spaced means 35 and 36 for securing the bridles to the endless wire on one side of the pulleys and a pair of spaced rollers 37 and 38 which run on the endless wire on the other side of the pulleys. In this manner, each bridle is actually supported by both the upper and lower section of the endless wire 25. This will minimize the eiect of sag in the wire and will provide for smooth movement of the bridle between the center and end posts. Any vertical tilting moment imposed on the bridle by a resistance of the awning cover to spreading or collapsing vwill be exerted on both sections of the endless wire 25 due to the feature of connecting the bridle to the endless wire at spaced points on one side of the pulley and having spaced rollers on the bridle run on the wire on the other side of the pulley. The arm 34 has substantial length, and due to this length and the resistance to the tilting movement by both the upper and lower section of the endless wire 25, this tilting moment will be slight and have only a negligible eiect on operation of the unit. Note that if the bridle is permitted to tilt, the bridle will tend to bind on the awning cover support wires.

It will be noted that the arm 34 is identical for the two bridles but is inverted on one of the bridles so that the rollers 37 and 38 of bridle 23 run on the upper section of wire 25 and the rollers 37 and 38 of bridle 22 run on the lower section of endless wire 25. The securing means 36 of the two bridles are accordingly at diierent positions on the two bridles to be in line with the securing means 35 ot' arm 34. This inverted relationship permits spreading and collapsing of two sections of awning with a single drive and control mechanism and therefore, considerably reduces the cost of the unit.

The construction of bridle 23 is best shown in Figs. 4, and 6. The bridle shown corresponds to bridle 23 of Figs. l and 3, but it will be understood that bridle 22 will be identical with that shown in Figs. 4 through 6 except that arm 34 will be inverted and the securing means 36 will be at a different position as shown in Fig. 3.

The desired gable shape is provided by a pair of downwardly slanting frame members 39 and 41. These frame members extend downwardly from the peak of the bridle and are secured at the peak to a central vertically extending frame member 42. Frame members 39 and 41 may be provided with any desired means for securing the bridle to one end of the awning cover such as the latch 43. Cross bars 44 and 45 extend between frame members 39 and 41 at points spaced from the peak of the bridle to strengthen the bridle.

The bridle is suspended from the central awning cover support wire 18 and from the two outside support wires, one of which is shown at 15, by rollers at the peak and end extremities of the bridle. Preferably, the roller 46 which engages the central wire 1S is carried at the upper end of central frame member 42. The two rollers 47 -Which are carried at the extremities of the bridle to `engage the outside awning cover support wires are preferably carried in a yoke member 48 which is hinged to the bridle by a pin 49. Hinging movement is provided about an axis parallel to the awning cover support wires so that rollers 47 will remain in engagement with the wires while permitting slight rotation of the bridle about a horizontal axis. A tendency for the bridle to rotate about a horizontal axis will be present in windy conditions as the awning cover support wires will not be completely rigid.

The bridle is held against cocking and binding on the awning cover support wires by the stabilizing arm 34 and its attachment to the endless wire 25. Arm 34 is preferably provided by a pair of channel members 34a and 34b with their channels facing away from each other. The rollers 37 and 38 are journaled for rotation between the two channel members. Preferably, the stabilizing arm 34 and the central frame member 42 are arranged at right angles to each other. A diagonal brace 51 vextends between members 34 and 42 to strengthen the structure. As noted above and as best shown in Fig. 4, rollers 37 and 38 support the bridle on the endless wire 25.

rfhe bridle is secured to the endless Wire 25 at spaced points on the bridle. One securing means 36 is provided between spaced angle irons 53a and 53b carried by the central support 42. The other securing means 35 is carried by angle iron members 55a and 55b which depend from the end of stabilizer arm 34 at a point spaced from securing means 52.

In explaining the operation of the awning, reference is made to Fig. 3 which shows the bridles in their position to collapse the awning cover. Motor 32 is energized by throwing switch 55 to the on position which causes clockwise rotation of drive drum 31. This rotation causes movement of endless wire 25 in a counter clockwise direction and spreading apart of the two bridles 22 and 23. As the bridles reach their fully extended position, bridle 22 contacts limit switch 56 which is wired in series with switch 55 and motor 32. Such contact -opens the limit switch and interrupts current ow to the motor with the awning cover in fully extended position. When it is desired to close or collapse the awning cover, the switch 57 is energized which causes motor 32 to operate in reverse direction to cause counter clockwise movement of drive drum 31 and clockwise movement of the endless wire 25. As soon as the bridle moves out of contact with limit switch 56, it automatically resets and closes the circuit between motor 32 and switch 55. However, switch 55 is of the type which automatically opens upon stoppage of current flow therethrough and no current will pass to the motor through this circuit until switch 55 is again energized. As the bridles move into retracted position, bridle 22 will strike limit switch 58 which interrupts flow of current to motor 32 when the awning cover is fully collapsed. When the awning is again extended, the limit switch 58 will close as explained in the case of limit switch 56.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, this invention is shown in conjunction with a two-support awning. This two post form of the invention is identical with the right hand section of the awning of Fig. 1 except that the motor 32 is shown to be mounted on post 11a instead of post 10a to permit it to drive the endless wire through pulley 26a. The bridle 23 is supported on and attached to the endless wire 25a in the manner heretofore explained by securing means 35 and 36 and rollers 37 and 38. The endless cable 25a runs between pulleys 27a and 26a. Pulley 26a also functions as the driving drum for the endless wire.

-This form of the invention may be used where a short and bind even in high wind conditions and the awning cover may be extended or retracted while being bufeted by a high wind. A model of the illustrated structure has been tested and works satisfactorily when subjected to a wind velocity of 70 miles per hour. The bridles, though supportedby aplurality of llexible wires :will` have .little tendency to cock or tilt asthey are securedpto and supported by the upper and lower portions ofthe endless wire which causes movement of the bridle.

From the foregoingit will beV seen' that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus.

It will be understood that certain yfeatures and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein lset forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

l. A collapsible awning comprising, spaced supports, a plurality of spaced wires extending between the supports, an awning :cover supported on the wires and means for spreading and collapsing the cover along'the wires comprising, confronting pulleys carried by the supports at points spaced from the wires, an endless wire extending over the pulleys, means for driving the endless wire over the pulleys in both directions, and a bridle having a portion extending transversely of the spaced wires and secured to one end of the cover, said bridle suspended from said spaced wires and secured to the endless wire at a first point to prevent rotation of the bridle about a horizontal axis and to provide for movement of the bridle with the endless wire to extend and collapse the cover, said bridle including an arm extending in the direction of and engaging the endless wire at a Isecond point spaced along the arm from the rst point and preventing cooking and binding of the bridle.

2. A collapsible awning comprising, spaced supports, a plurality of spaced wires extending between the supports, an awning cover supported by the wires, and means for spreading and collapsing the cover along the wires comprising, confronting pulleys carried by the supports at points spaced from the wires, an endless wire extending over the pulleys, means for driving the endless wire over the pulleys in both directions, a bridle having a portion extending transversely of the spaced wires and secured to one end of thercover, said bridle suspended from said spaced wires and secured to the endless wire on one side of the pulleys at a iirst point to prevent rotation of the bridle about a horizontal axis and to provide for movement of the bridle with the endless wire to extend and collapse the cover, said bridle including an arm extending in the direction of the endless wire and connected thereto at a point spaced from said iirst point on said one side of the pulleys to prevent cocking and binding of the bridle, and spaced rollers carried by the arm and resting on the endless Wire on the other side of said pulleys to support the bridle thereon.

3. A collapsible awning comprising, spaced supports, a plurality of spaced wires extending between the supports, an awning cover supported by the wires, and means for spreading and collapsing the cover along the wires comprising, confronting pulleys carried by the supports at points spaced from the wires, an endless wire extending over the pulleys, motor means for driving the endless wire over the pulleys in both directions, a bridle having a portion extending transversely of the spaced wires and secured to one end of the cover, said bridle suspended from said spaced wires and secured to the endless wire on one side of the pulleys at a first point to prevent rotation of the bridle about a horizontal axis and to provide for movement of the bridle with the endless wire to extend and collapse the cover, said bridle including an arm extending in the direction of the endless Wire and connected thereto the -pull'eystofprevent cocking .and binding ofthe bridle,

l spaced rollers carriedby the arm and resting on the endless wire on the other sideof said pulleys to support the bridle thereon', andmeans-vfor automatically stopping the motor means when the cover is fully extended or collapsed.

4. A collapsible awning comprising, spaced supports, a plurality of spaced wires extending between the supports, an awning cover supported by the wires, and means for spreading and collapsing the cover along the wires comprising, confronting pulleys carried by the supports at points spaced from the wires, an endless wire extending over the pulleys, electric motor means for driving the endless wire over the pulleys in both directions, a bridle having a portion extending transversely of the spaced wires and secured to one end of the cover, said bridle suspended from said spaced wires and secured to the endless wire on one side of the pulleys at a first point to prevent rotation of the bridle about a horizontal axis and to provide for movement of the bridle with the endless wire to extend and collapse the cover, said bridle including an arm extending in the direction of the endless wire and connected thereto at a point spaced from said rst point on said one side of the pulleys to prevent cooking and binding of the bridle, spaced rollers carried by the arm and resting on the endless wire on the other side of said pulleys to support the bridle thereon, and limit switches carried by said support and connected in the control circuit for the motor, one of said switches engaged by the bridle when the awning cover is fully extended to shut olf current to the motor andthe other of said switches engaged by the bridle when the awning cover is fully collapsed to shut off current to the motor.

5. A collapsible awning comprising, three in-line spaced supports, a plurality of spaced wires extending between said supports, an elongate awning cover supported on the wires, means for spreading the cover from the center support toward each end support along the wires and for collapsing the cover adjacent the center support comprising, confronting pulleys mounted on the end supports for rotation about horizontal axes at points spaced from the wires, an endless wire extending over the pulleys and having an upper and a lower portion, electric motor means for driving the endless wire over the pulleys in both directions, a pair of bridles having portions extending transversely of the spaced Wires and secured to opposite ends of the cover, one of said bridles suspended from the spaced wires between the center support and each end support, each bridle including an arm extending in the direction of the endless wire, one of said bridles secured to the upper portion of the endless wire at spaced points and having spaced rollers resting on the lower portion of the endless wire to support said one bridle thereon, said other bridle secured to the lower portion of the endless wire at spaced points and having spaced rollers resting on the upper portion of the endless wire to support said other bridle thereon, whereby the bridles will be simultaneously moved toward and away from the center support with movement of the endless wire and the bridles will be held against cocking and binding, and limit switches carried by the center support and one end support and connected in the control circuit for the motor, one of said switches engaged by a bridle when the cover is fully extended to shut off current to the motor andthe other of said switches engaged by a bridle when the cover is fully collapsed to shut off current to the motor.

6. As a subcombination, a bridle adapted to be secured to one end of an awning cover and pulled along awning cover support wires to spread and collapse an awning cover comprising, a central frame member having a roller at one end by which it can be suspended from a central awning cover support wire, an arm extending from the central frame member, spaced clamping means carried by the other end of the frame member and by said tarm, spaced rollers carried by said arm, said clamping means adapted to secure the bridleto a two-pulley endless wire on one side of the pulleys andsaid rollers adapted to support` the bridle von the endless wire on the other side of the pulleys, frame members extending laterally from YJche central frame member in a plane perpendicular to said arm and having means for securing the bridle to one end of an awning cover, and hinged pulleys on the ends of said last-mentioned frame members for suspending the bridle from awning cover support wires.

No references cited. 

